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The largest union of Orthodox rabbis has expelled one of its members from the organization following an investigation into several women's allegations of sexual harassment.

In a March 18 statement, the Rabbinical Council of America said that Rabbi Mordecai Tendler "has refused to cooperate with the [organization] in its investigation, and has refused to appear at a hearing." RCA also stated that Tendler, the scion of a prominent rabbinic family, had "engaged in conduct inappropriate for an Orthodox rabbi."

"Therefore," the statement declared, "Rabbi Mordecai Tendler has been expelled from the RCA."

The action took effect immediately, according to the RCA employee who shared the statement with the Forward.

According to several sources familiar with the proceedings, including two alleged victims, Tendler was accused of propositioning women while serving in his role as either rabbinic counselor or religious arbiter.

Speaking through two spokesmen in recent months, Tendler, who is married and has 8 children, vehemently has denied the allegations.

Just hours after the RCA announced its decision, Tendler's spokesman, consultant Hank Sheinkopf, issued a statement defending the rabbi and criticizing the RCA.

"The charges against Rabbi Tendler are baseless and there is nothing in the RCA proceedings, findings or in its letter that substantiates any charges of misconduct," Sheinkopf said. "The RCA proceedings against Rabbi Mordecai Tendler have been reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials."

RCA officials declined to answer questions about the case. The organization sent an e-mail to members, urging them not to comment on the situation.

The RCA's decision was praised by one alleged victim, Batye Seigel, a 54-year-old clinical aesthetician, who said that Tendler propositioned her 12 years ago while adjudicating her divorce and a rent dispute in private rabbinical court proceedings.

"I'm glad that there's a little justice in this world," Seigel said. "I think that people should get what they deserve — both good and bad."

One Monsey woman who has been urging alleged victims to come forward throughout the investigation, said that she has been intimidated and harassed by people identifying themselves as Tendler's supporters. The woman, who asked not to be identified, said that she has been careful to guard her anonymity, but Sunday evening one of the rabbi's backers posted her photograph and personal information on a Web site, along with a statement arguing that her anonymity did not need to be protected because she had run around "defaming" Tendler.

Tendler is the son of Yeshiva University professor Rabbi Moshe Tendler, a Talmud instructor at the university and a leading Orthodox expert on bioethical issues. The senior Tendler, who has been condemned by ultra-Orthodox critics upset over his stance against a circumcision-related ritual, serves on the RCA's top religious committee. He did not return calls seeking comment on the RCA's decision to expel his son.

Mordecai Tendler is also a grandson of the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the Orthodox world's most respected religious arbiter for much of the 20th century. A noted authority on his grandfather's writings, Tendler, a part-time instructor at Y.U.'s affiliated rabbinical seminary, has emerged as a leading defender of the increasingly beleaguered Modern Orthodox community of Monsey in its communal turf struggles against the dominant ultra-Orthodox majority.

Prior to the RCA's investigation, Tendler had earned praise from Orthodox feminist leaders for his open-minded approach to women's issues. He composed a popular prayer on behalf of agunot, or women who have been unable to secure a religious divorce decree from their husbands.

Sheinkopf compared Tendler's plight to that of teenagers who had been abused by Rabbi Baruch Lanner, a top leader at the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, the youth group run by the Orthodox Union. In 1989, a panel of RCA-affiliated rabbis ruled that Lanner could continue to work as an educator in the Orthodox community.

"Just as the RCA failed to protect defenseless children from Rabbi Lanner, now they are failing to protect the rights of one of its most prominent leaders," Sheinkopf said.

In addition to threatening Tendler's standing in the Modern Orthodox community, the accusations against him have tested the resolve and ability of the RCA to investigate allegations of sexual abuse. With more than 1,000 members, the RCA deals with a wide range of religious and social issues, in addition to sponsoring an influential rabbinical court. Its handling of the case has drawn intense criticism from both Tendler's camp and his accusers.

The executive vice president of the RCA, Basil Herring, said that this was not the first time the organization had expelled a member. But he refused to say how many rabbis had previously been thrown out or when the last expulsion occurred.

Tendler's backers said he was never given an opportunity to face his accusers and that he has criticized RCA officials for confirming to the media that an investigation was under way. On the other side, Tendler's alleged victims said that RCA passed their names along to the rabbi without their permission.

At this point, Seigel said, the key aim should be to remove Tendler from positions of power.

"People need to recognize that there's a reason he was [expelled from the RCA], that there was an investigation of him by an agency outside the Orthodox community, so it really was objective," Seigel said. "People need to acknowledge that. Now, he needs to be taken out of a position of power so that he can no longer victimize anyone."

Tendler is the founder and religious leader of Kehillat New Hempstead, a Modern Orthodox congregation near Monsey. RCA officials have said that they do not have the power to remove Tendler from his pulpit.

On Monday evening, a group of members of Kehillat New Hempstead met with Tendler to inform him that they were leaving the congregation, according to a source in Monsey. The group consisted of rabbis and administrators from Yeshiva University; the Frisch School, an Orthodox high school in Paramus, N.J., and Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, an Orthodox elementary school known as SAR.

Phone calls to the president of the synagogue, Eric Lafazan, and to the president of its sisterhood, Shelley Karben, were not returned.

The decision to dismiss Tendler from the RCA has sparked an impassioned debate between his critics and his supporters, particularly on the Internet.

The debate raged on jewishwhistleblower.blogspot.com, an anonymous blog dedicated to exposing allegations of abuse in the Jewish community. The site usually attracts between two and eight responses for each posting, yet the news of Tendler's dismissal drew 250 responses as of Tuesday morning, taking on the character of a fiery town meeting.

On Tuesday, Yeshiva University e-mailed a statement to the Forward saying that the school's rabbinical seminary accepts the RCA's jurisdiction on this matter, and therefore Mordecai Tendler's seminar will no longer be offered.

According to sources familiar with the situation, in June the RCA hired the Dallas-based sexual abuse investigation agency Praesidium, Inc., to investigate the women's complaints.

The firm boasts of having investigated more than 400 cases of abuse, including some involving the pedophile scandal that rocked the Catholic Church.

This past summer, Praesidium conducted telephone interviews with alleged victims and other witnesses concerning alleged incidents spanning the last 12 years. The agency was building on an earlier case file compiled in late 2003 by an RCA vice president, Rabbi Mark Dratch.

The RCA was roundly criticized for giving Tendler and the attorney who was advising him, Arnold Kriss, a copy of an internal report on the sexual harassment allegations, which included the names of his accusers. Several alleged victims said that when they cooperated with the investigation they never gave permission for their names to be shared.

>I think it is time to leave the >Rav alone and go on with more >important things in life.

Like protecting agunot from him?

>You have brought much shame to >the Jewish Orthodox communtiy. >You should leave it be and move >on making yourself happier.

I am very happy thank you.

Rabbi Mordechai Tendler and those who enable him have brought shame to our community.

>Please, even though you are a >Baal Teshuva and it may be >acceptable in the "outside" >world this is very much against >what WE believe in.

You make assumptions about me that are pure mozi shem rah.

As to acceptability:From RCA Roundtable, Nissan 5752...The Mishnah, Avot 4-4, reminds us that sequestering a hillul Hashem will always be unsuccessful: "Whoever desecrates the name of Heaven in private will ultimately be punished in public, whether the desecration was committed unintentionally or intentionally." Hence, a conspiracy to conceal information about abuse will ultimately be made public, creating an even greater hillul Hashem. The greater severity of the hillul Hashem in concealing the information can be further supported by the Talmud, Yoma 86b, which maintains that "one should expose hypocrites to prevent the desecration of the Name. (Hilkhot De'ot 6-8) Rashi explains that the reason for this disclosure is that people, thinking that this person is righteous, may learn from his behavior. Rambam is of the opinion that after unsuccessful attempts to correct the matter privately, public remonstration and broadcasting of the outrage is required. There is no concern about the hillul Hashem of exposing the offense. ...

>The internet is quite harmful >and right now we are using it as >a weapon. I urge you to please >put down all your weapons.

Ignorance and stupidity are harmful too. Midot you seem to be familiar with.

The Chofetz Chayim, in Hil. Lashon Hara Klal 6 para. 11, in Be'er Mayim Chayim 30, refers to a Teshuva of the Maharik, a late Rishon.

The Maharik discusses the case of a woman who accused a certain man of sinning in sexual matters. Because of this, the man suffered embarrassment and humiliation -- the townsfolk had agreed not to call him to the Torah because of the accusation against him.

The Maharik "hirish" (shouted) at them, for having believed this one woman. "The one who embarrasses him should beg mercy on himself, for having taken so lightly the honor of the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

"And if only wisdom would enlighten these harassers, they would recognize and know that what is said [in the Torah] concerning one who embarrasses [lit. whitens the face of] his fellow in public is greater than [what it says concerning] one who has relations with a married woman. For one who has relations with a married woman receives capital punishment of strangulation, and receives a share in the World to Come, while the one who embarrasses his fellow in public has no portion in the World to Come. And the one who is lenient in this matter, his blood is on his head."

In this case there are at least 10 women and the rabbonim at the Rabbinical Council of America expelled Rabbi Mordechai Tendler after a 15+ month investigation, declaring that he "engaged in conduct inapporopriate for an Orthodox rabbi."

It is shamful that you would twist the words of the Chofetz Chayim and the Maharik to attack the character of brave Jewish women and protect a rasha like Rabbi Mordechai Tendler.

It is also shows a clear disrespect of your rabbinical leaders at the RCA.

If the Chofetz Chayim and the Maharik were around today, it would be YOU these great tzaddikim would be shouting at, for the twisting of their words. They would be horrified to know that their words were being used to defend a rasha who preys on agunot.

I believe this would apply in this situation where vulnerable women, agunot are being preyed upon:

From RCA Roundtable, Nissan 5752:...LASHON HARA

Is discussing or reporting an alleged abuser a violation of the laws against lashon hara? Consider the Talmudic case of Tuvya and Zigud (Pesahim 113b),

It once happened that Tuvya sinned and Zigud came and testified against him alone before R. Papa. He had Zigud punished. "Tuvya sinned and Zigud is punished!" he exclaimed. He said to him, "Yes, for it is written, 'One witness shall not rise up against a man' (Deut. 19-15), whereas you have testified against him alone; you have merely brought him into ill repute."

Since this testimony was inadmissible, Zigud has done no more than spread ugly rumors about the accused and has violated the prohibition, "Thou shalt not go as a talebearer" (Lev. 19-16).

However, R. Papa's actions in Pesahim seem to be contradicted by the Talmud (Baba Kamma 56a) which condemns even a single individual who withholds evidence as one who is exempt from human judgment but liable to the judgments of Heaven. Rashi observes that since the attestation of one witness can obligate the party to take an oath, such testimony is efficacious: such a statement is not lashon hara and its declaration is imperative. Rema extends the moral imperative of one witness to testify to all cases in which there is a benefit, including preventing another person from sinning. (Gloss to Hoshen Mishpat 28-1) In fact, there is no contradiction. The case of Tuvya and Zigud teaches that if the sin has already been committed, the testimony of only one witness is prohibited, constituting a violation of motsi shem ra. Baba Kamma requires testimony because there will be a future benefit.

Despite the permissibility generated by the need to prevent future injury, Hafetz Hayyim prohibits the revelation of any information that would cause harm to the accused that is not based on bonafide evidence worthy of a court of Iaw. (Hafetz Hayyim, Be'er Mayyim Hayyim, Hilkhot Rehilut, kelal 7, no. 20.) This prevents an innocent person from becoming the victim of false accusations and slander. (Be'er Mayyim Hayyim, Hilkhot Rehilut, Kelal 9, no. 20.) This restriction severely hinders the revelation of instances of child abuse where the only confirmation of the abuse is the statements of minors whose veracity is unreliable, as they are generally considered as unfit witnesses, (Hilkhot Edut 9-1; Hoshen Mishpat 35-1.) or circumstantial physical evidence. However, because confidential reports to agencies responsible for investigating such allegations will not harm a person's reputation and because the testimony of children, supported by significant suspicions, may be acceptable testimony, (Gloss of Rema to Hoshen Mishpat 35:14 which, under certain circumstances, accepts minors as eidei birrur based on a Takkanat kadmonim ascribed to either Rabbeinu Tam or Rabbeinu Gershom Me'Or haGolah.) this restriction does not prevent the proper prosecution of abusers or endanger the well being of children. In addition, when physical and mental pikuach nefesh is involved, one must, after careful deliberation and consideration of the evidence and its consequences, reveal serious suspicions.

Thus, in cases of child abuse, where, after careful evaluation of the evidence it is believed that abuse has occurred, there is no prohibition of rehilut-- even outside of the judiciary process. On the contrary, it is a mitzvah to inform others so as to protect them and their families from possible harm. Hafetz Hayyim, rejecting the possible objections of those who would deem this an unwarranted leniency, states that withholding such information is tantamount to withholding testimony in a court of law and is prohibited by "Thou shalt not stand idly by the blood of thy brother" (Lev. 19-16). (Be'er Mayyim Hayyim, Hilkhot Rehilut. kelal 9, no. 1.) This obligation to reveal this information holds: even outside of court proceedings; (Hilkhot Rehilut, kelal 9, no. 3.) even if the informer is the sole source of information; even if the statement is based solely upon hearsay; and even if the abuser promises not to harm anyone else if there is concern that he cannot be trusted. (Hilkhot Rehilut, kelal 9, no. 3 and Be'er Mayyim Hayyim nos. 9 and 10.)

Rabbi Tendler is the one who has brought shame upon the jewish people not JWB. Tendelr is the onw charged with sexual abuse of innocent women. Lets get the facts straight here. People need to be protected from devious men such as Tendler, he has no right an longer to be a pulpit Rabbi or to be allowed to councel. He has done enough damage and injured countless lives. He has discouraged many and dissapointed and has caused numerous people to question thier own jewishness. He deserves what he is getting. KNH needs to follow the RCA, and now YU and remove him immediately from his position.

Intenses efforts have been underway for the past several days by members of KNH to implore Tendelr that his only choice right now is to leave or he risks destroying KNH. Tendler and Michelle have basically screamed at any person challenging them. They will not leave the shul under any circumstances. They told memebers that this is "their shul" and he will stay even if only a nd handful of people remain in the shul. Tendler is invoking the terms of his Ksav Rabbonus and that he has a lifetime contract as Rav of KNH. The KNH Board is united by a majority, and agree that the only choice is for him to step down. They have been working behind the scenes with other Rabbonim both in Monsey and Eretz Yisroel for ways to have him removed in a peaceful manner. Local Rabbonim are composing a letter to him urging him to step down aes Rav.

At 8:49 PM, Anonymous said... The internet is quite harmful and right now we are using it as a weapon. I urge you to please put down all your weapons.

I agree---the Internet as a 'Weapon' for doing Good! Smashing down conspiracies of silence, one after the other.So let it be a Warning, to all those in any form of Spiritual Authority: no longer will you be so easily able to get away with manipulating and abusing others who are vulnerable and unwittingly seek you out for guidance! All of you --- your days are numbered for getting away with this. Silence, secrecy, and shame are no longer things you can rely on! And for those who rely on the internet as a tool of predatory methods---that tool will be turned on you, again and again, until you are stopped!

As a founding member of KNH (one of the first 10 families) I am disturbed by this public debate. If the members of the shul vote to ask the Rav to leave, then he should. Shtar or no shtar. People are already voting with their feet. There is nothing gained by involving the press or the public and everything to lose.

I for one, never believed the allegations. However, the RCA decision makes me think twice. I have children of marriagable age, and (and I hate to admit this) don't want their chances for a shidduch disturbed because of my membership in KNH.

I think that Rabbi T has to look past his own interests and for the good of the community resign and move away. I feel terrible for the Rebitizen and the children, for they have been stained by this scandal.

The RCA announcement was made just like the Japanese made their announcement at Pearl Harbor: manipulative, duplicitous diplomacy being used to create vulnerability through trust. Wait and see what's happening next, and you will see that there is a real possibility that RMT is really innocent and was shanghaied.

What's happening next is that 2 confirmed DNA samples were delivered to the RCA that confirm sexual relations between Tendler and one of his victims That along with additional audio tapes. The RCA is not pleased the MT of NH wants to stay as a Rabbi. The RCA may take a few more pages out of their 60 page report and make it public as well. Sorry to burst your bubble. Sunday should be an interesting day for MT of NH

Here are the "facts" from Michelle Tendler's letter to the KNH Membership>

1. The Rav repeatedly requested the opportunity to face his accusers before an impartial Halachically constituted tribunal. Despite the RCA Constitution's express requirement, the RCA refused to convene a Bais DIn. Rather, this tragic act was taken by a committee of unknown composition, counseled by individuals unaffiliated with the RCA.2. When the RCA finally requested a hearing they informed our Rav that he may not be afforded an opportunity to facs and/or cross-examine his accusers and that his rights to cross-examine will not be governed by formal rules and may be subject to severe limitations.3. The Rav cooperated with the RCA beyond any reasonable expectations. Our Rav was the ONLY individual to meet face to face with the RCA's investigator. Incredibly, our Rav's accusers, individuals dedicated to his destruction were interviewed by phone.4. The Rav submitted documentary evidence as to the motives and credibility of the accusers and hollowness of the charges including absolute refutation of the charges that were gleefully disseminated by the press. These included affidavits of key individuals including independent Rabbonim. The RCA never contacted a single individual or investigated a single defense. Indeed it seemed as if the RCA would not be deterred by the facts or Halacha.5. Our Rav and his representatives were of a strong belief that the RCA would ultimately reach a favorable resolution of this ordeal when they were abruptly informed of the RCA's decision.6. When the RCA advised our Rav of the impending decision the RCA was immediately subjected to an onslaught of pressure by Gedolim and community leaders to reconsider their actions. The RCA agreed to reconsider only after it demanded and received from our Rav a signed statement documenting his willingness to cooperate and appear at a fair hearing. The Rav gave this statement to the RCA in writing immediately and willingly as he all along was willing to appear at a fair and impartial proceeding. NOtwithstanding having this statement in hand the RCA refused to deviate from its decision and that very same day expelled our Rav for his "refusal to appear at a hearing."

She continues:Any memeber who wants to review the voluminous documentary evidence vindicating our Rav from all allegations and clearly setting forth the conspiracy to destroy our Rav is welcome to contact me.

No one knows the Rav better than I do. His whole life has been dedicated to TOrah, family and community. I ask that you stand with us and that we all stand together.

The laws of Ona'ah, shame, which the Mishna speaks about, have been going on for years and done more to the victims then Rabbi Mordecai Tendler. The members have lied, threaten, dis-associated with, and slander women and supporters or any women and supporters who just appear even if not fact as jeopardizing the truth of his sexual misconduct. KNH members have covered up for him by shaming the reputations of these women. Maybe if they didn't go on this site spurring and attacking, and a history of RMT and his team didn't threaten and slander reputations publically then it would not have grown to become a public rebuttal on the internet. But you did. If you desired it to be addressed in a Torah way of privacy and the victims did too, then the KNH members failed early on to take claims made and also investigate all the women who were not at the shul anymore to work out a peaceful resolution in a Torah way. This wasn't done because you knew it was true and thought that burying it will not only allow you to benefit from the "Rav" but have the power of making it go away. So if you slandered women to accomplish this you did. Had you, it may have saved everyone from being damaged publically. The KNH board after the women who sued him and settled out of court in Oct. 2002, made cosmetic changes like the mehiza they added at his morning shirs, etc. The Rabbonim of Monsey told him not to be alone in the office with women; which he violated and the board did nothing, but all only cosmetics and allowed for continual victimization. He did not get the help he needed and you enabled him. Some of you are in denial, Some of you committed evil to slain and to violate Ona'ah of the women to cover up for him. For a long time you let him go and express here that you want to continue to; you are not seeing he's sexually abusing his Rabbinic position. The Rabbonim also failed, betrayed and shamed the women. The RCA also betrayed and didn't handle it by any Torah means on both sides. The women have been shamed in the community and their Families and lives ruined by his abuse, and Families to be ruined by this truthful determination made by the RCA. We all in the Jewish community both still members, or receivers of his help and good contributions, those liking him, and his victims would have preferred it to be handled privately and Torahdic; but his leadership led you to defame and threaten. Believe, all got damaged from the oppossing sides and on the same sides. We all suffered from Ona'ah, shame. If some compromise isn't made now it will unfortunately get worst.

Members of KNH are secretly revolting and are outraged by Tendlers decision to fight and say. Other residents of New Hemostead and other shuls are already preparing for the dessertion of KNH members. They too are shocked and are in disbelief over the Board of KNH's silence and lack of response.

The shul was pretty full this Shabbos considering everybody is fleeing. Had to be over 100 people at the second minyan. The first minyan regularly pulls 40-60 people as well. Shouldn't the shul be empty if all are leaving? There are other shuls around for people to go to, you know.

There was quite an outburst at the hashkama minyan due to this issue. And, of course, all 5 of the Rabbis who are members of the shul have quit (effective after Purim) and were not present this Shabbos.

Rabbi Tendler asked the Rabbanim to stay for Purim to avoid embarassing the shul (even so, 2 of them still did not attend KNH). Now that Purim is over, all 5 of them are gone. Many of us came to (or stayed in) KNH because of those 5 individuals and their shiurim in the shul. That attraction is now gone. In addition, a lot of people in KNH respect those 5, and their decision to leave will have a significant ripple effect.

Again, misleading statements from Tendler supporters. The 5 rabbonim were not present in shul this shabbos, they agreed to stay until after Purim and then would leave, which is exactly what they did. As I spoke to people this shabbos morning it has become more and more evident that people have already made up thier minds and are leaving. No one expects Sundays meeting to be anything more than a sympathy shmooze. The Board at KNH is still floundering and has not taken definitive steps in protecting the community. THE BOARD AT KNH IS GUILTY OF ENABLING TENDLER TO CONTINUE AS RABBI. THEY KNEW ABOUT THE COMPLIANTS FOR YEARS NOW AND DID NOTHING. THEY WITNESSED THESE STRANGE BEHAVIOR BY TENDLER AND STOOD BY AND DID NOTHING. THEY SHOULD BE SUED ALONG WITH TENDLER. THE SURVIVORS MUST STAND UP AND SPEAK. THE RCA NEEDS TO GET SERIOUS NOW.

Most members have indicated that they will be leaving. The reason that they are still there this past shabbos was 2 fold. One, they are holding off until they see what happens sunday night. 2. Its not so easy to simply uproot yourself from a shul that some people have been davening at for years. Most people will be gradually removing themselves over the course of several weeks. No one wants to endure the embarrasment of davening in a shul where their Rabbi was found to be doing things that are inapproprate for a rabbi. People will not chose to have him at weddings, etc anymore.

I love the way the story keeps changing. First, pre-RCA, everybody has already fled the shul. Then, when faced with the facts that this is false, everybody fled the shul post-RCA. Then, when faced with the facts about Purim and Shabbos, everybody is going to flee now in the future. You may be right or you may be wrong.

It is humorous that you say that so many people came for the shiurim. 6-10 people for a shiur is a crisis? 95% (if not more) of the membership has never stepped foot in any of the Rabbaim's shiurim (sad to admit).

I totally, 100% would understand why the Rabbaim would take this position (assuming they did). All of them are teachers and/or administrators in Yeshivot. They have to deal with other teachers, administrators, parents and students and, given the current situation (whether or not it is true or not is irrelevent), there is too much baggage.

Thats why he needs to go from KNH as well. As an Orthodox shul it would become the laughing stock of the jewish world. While everyone knows of Tendlers arrogance and huge ego it would be completely unacceptable to have a Rabbi who is a sexual pervert and devient and preys on helpless women, right in the comfort of his own home.

If the Board does not take action now they should be sued as accomplices. They knew of the behavior in the past and did nothing. Now that a decision was made by the RCA it is time for them to take action and remove Tendler as Rabbi. If not they should be part of a suit against Tendler. The Board at KNH was knowledgable for years.

>If the Board does not take >action now they should be sued >as accomplices.

Anyone know who the synagogues insurance company is? I would recommend informing them of the fact the synagogue is employing an employee that was expelled from his professional orgaanization for "engag[ing] in conduct inapporopriate for an Orthodox rabbi.”

Let's see how quickly the policy is dropped.

Given the facts, I'm not even sure the insurer would cover any claims at this point anyway.

Not just the insurance company, but the morgage company as well. It would probably be considered a violation of the terms of the morgage. That is why the Board is actively looking to pay the mortgage off to reduce liablility. The 10 guarators are firmly behind the President of KNH's recommendation that the mortgage be paid off. It would reduce thier liability and eliminate any savings accounts that any new Board would use to possibly defend Tendler. The current Board is ready to resign if Tendler does not leave.

You really are desperate! Once you fell flat on your face with your assertions and insistence that the Feinsteins are not behind Rabbi Tendler, your true colors have come out. You post all the old allegations, for no purpose other then to try to recreate a hue and cry, when it is clear that until there is something new and definitive,the general perception is that this is a witch hunt, and those who have lead it are desperately doing anything to regain footing. Where is all the promised "evidence"?...the "wait for Sunday night"? enough with the rumour mongering and sheker

You really are desperate! Once you fell flat on your face with your assertions and insistence that the Feinsteins are not behind Rabbi Tendler, your true colors have come out. You post all the old allegations, for no purpose other then to try to recreate a hue and cry, when it is clear that until there is something new and definitive,the general perception is that this is a witch hunt, and those who have lead it are desperately doing anything to regain footing. Where is all the promised "evidence"?...the "wait for Sunday night"? enough with the rumour mongering and sheker

You really are desperate! Once you fell flat on your face with your assertions and insistence that the Feinsteins are not behind Rabbi Tendler, your true colors have come out. You post all the old allegations, for no purpose other then to try to recreate a hue and cry, when it is clear that until there is something new and definitive,the general perception is that this is a witch hunt, and those who have lead it are desperately doing anything to regain footing. Where is all the promised "evidence"?...the "wait for Sunday night"? enough with the rumour mongering and sheker

BORO PARK, BROOKLYN - [TheKnish.com] There is a catwalk banquet, hordes of journalists, traditional dancing and time-consuming hair styling - but at Boro Park's beauty pageant every competitor must be fachnyukt.

At a palm tree-studded resort and conference center in the Avenue Plaza Hotel, twelve girls are competing this weekend for the title "Miss Fachnyukt and Proud of it."

Miss Frummy Ehrlich, front-runner in the Miss Fachnyukt pageant "We are saying here we are, we are fachnyukt and it doesn't mean it's the end of the line," 33 year old reigning Miss Fachnyukt Shvertzi Zanayid told Reuters in her cluttered one room apartment with twelve mezuzas, where she displays trophies of her win in 2004.

Boro Park, the world's largest Bas Yisroel producer, has one of the highest fachnyukt rates in the world with an estimated third of the population infected.

The city is using its shnorer wealth to provide quality-of-life prolonging anti-fachnyukt drugs - but many do not know their fachnyukt status or are unwilling to come forward for treatment, in case the doctor asks them to open their shirt so he can check their heartbeats or lung condition. Organizers say the pageant aims to tackle that stigma.

"After I started the medicine, I became better and better," said Zanayid, who was diagnosed in 2001.

"We are trying to say there is life with this medication. Some don't believe I'm fachnyukt positive because I'm so healthy. I mean, just yesterday, I allowed a male cashier to place money directly into my hand," she said.

FARFRUMT (Farkakte Ausvorfs Reefen Far Rintz Usteen Maneh Tzidkes) groups welcome the pageant, which is sponsored by Bank Leumi. "It may just be a pageant, but it is important because it brings together fachnyukt people who are open about their status," said Aufgeh Bindin, spokesman for the Brooklyn Comprehensive Fachnyukt Program.

"They need support, they need to come out and get acceptance for their condition. And when they win, they need to be proud to trip over their heel-length skirts before asking the trophy awarder to place the award on the floor so they can take it from him without touching him."

between MT abusing women , his brother being accused of molesting girls and his first cousins going off the derech and posing nude for playboy, it makes one wonder were they all abused as children by someone in their circle?

I have been watching this soap opera emerge. My close friend is a member of KNH. I am concerned that she may be a victim,too. I am also concerned that if I approach her she will feel that I am simply being nosey. She changed her entire family's lifestyle to follow Reb Tendler. Perhaps she is embarrassed to admit that this was a wrong move. I want to give her a safe place to dump and I want her to know that she will not be judged(even though I am not a Ba'al Tshuvah)....How can I let her know that I am concerned for her well being without offending her personally? Any suggestions?